Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Anderlecht finished in second place

Club Brugge KV claimed their 13th Belgian First Division title with a 2-2 draw against second-placed RSC Anderlecht in the penultimate round of fixtures.

Zitka blunderClub Brugge knew they would guarantee a second championship under the guidance of coach Trond Sollied if they avoided defeat at Jan Breydelstadion, and they made the perfect start in the first minute when Nastja Ceh broke the deadlock. Anderlecht replied on 36 minutes when Hannu Tihinen headed in from the rebound after a Nenad Jestrovic shot hit the crossbar, but two minutes later it was Ceh who restored Brugge's lead when his cross flew into the net after a deflection off Vincent Kompany and a misjudgement by goalkeeper Daniel Zitka.

Anderlecht consolationThe visitors looked a better side in the second-half and were rewarded six minutes after the restart when Jestrovic headed an equaliser. But a winning goal proved elusive as Club Brugge maintained their six-point lead at the summit to seal the title. Anderlecht did receive some consolation, however, as the point proved sufficient to guarantee a UEFA Champions League second round place.